Apache ACE gains Top-Level project status

Apache seems on a mission to the clouds, giving the OSGi framework its full attention

The Apache Software Foundation has today announced that
Apache ACE has graduated from the Apache Incubator to become a
Top-Level Project (TLP), signifying that ACE’s community have
gained Apache’s approval for top billing.

For those unaware, Apache ACE is an OSGi framework focused on
delivering modular software components, configuration
data and other artifacts to OSGi-based and related
target systems. It was initially donated to the Apache Incubator
back in 2009, by software solutions provider Luminis which
triggered an influx of developers joining the community to progress
it further.

Apache ACE allows developers to manage the dependencies,
deployment, and feedback of installed software components through
the use of OSGi bundles, proving particularly useful when scaling
across complex mobile, embedded and cloud computing
applications.

Users of Apache ACE can keep tabs on what’s been installed
and where, whilst updates and new components can be easily
distributed. In addition, ACE helps developers set up an automated
development, QA/testing, staging, and production environment.

“We are excited that ACE has successfully graduated as a
Top-Level Project,” said Marcel Offermans, Vice President of Apache
ACE and Fellow at Luminis. “Developing projects ‘The Apache Way’
stimulates widespread cooperation with individuals that each bring
their specific knowledge to the project. Diversity is key — the
community is evolving the project in new and interesting ways,
leveraging the collective expertise.”

Apache ACE software is released under the Apache License
v2.0, and is overseen by a self-selected team of active
contributors to the project. A Project Management Committee (PMC)
will oversee the Project’s day-to-day operations, focusing on
community development and product releases like similar Top Level
projects such as Hadoop. Apache ACE source code, documentation,
mailing lists, and related resources are available
at http://ace.apache.org/.

This is Apache’s second big announcement in a week, after
the previously proclaimed Apache HTTP server. The similarity here
appears to be that there’s a heavy focus on cloud operations. Will
Apache ACE be the ace in the hole, when it comes to
OSGi?